Microfiche viewer-printer machine

ABSTRACT

A microfiche viewer printer machine for selectively displaying or rapidly reproducing micro-images stored on a microfiche includes a viewing screen for observing projected micro-images from the microfiche and a printing or reproduction assembly for automatically, rapidly reproducing copies of the micro-images. The machine includes a transport assembly for transporting images disposed on the microfiche into an illumination path of the machine. The transport assembly includes a movable column slide or carriage for sequentially transporting images disposed along a column of the microfiche into the illumination path of the machine and an independently movable row slide or carriage for sequentially transporting images disposed along a row of microfiche into the illumination path of the machine. The movements of the column and row slides are controlled by the engagements of two elongated slotted racks with two pairs of drive pins. The machine includes means disposed in the illumination path for illuminating one of the images to form a projected image for receipt by the viewing screen or alternately for receipt by an exposure station of the reproduction assembly to form a latent image of the micro-image. The machine further includes means for developing the latent image to form a visible image of the projected image and means for fixing the developed image on a sheet of copy material to form a permanent visible copy of the projected image.

United States Patent [191 Raterman et al.

[ 1 Feb. 18,1975

[ MICROFICHE VIEWER-PRINTER MACHINE I [75] Inventors: Donald E. Raterman, Hollywood,

Fla.; Joseph Goebel, The Hague, Netherlands [73] Assignee: Addressograph Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Aug. 16, 1973 V [21] Appl. No.: 389,026

Yamada 355/45 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Wintercorn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mason, Kolehmainen, Rathburn & Wyss [57] ABSTRACT A microfiche viewer printer machine for selectively displaying or rapidly reproducing micro-images stored on a microfiche includes a viewing screen for observing projected micro-images from the microfiche and a printing or reproduction assembly for automatically, rapidly reproducing copies of the micro-images. The machine includes a transport assembly for transporting images disposed on the microfiche into an illumination path of the machine. The transport assembly includes a movable column slide or carriage for sequentially transporting images disposed along a column of the microfiche into the illumination path of the machine and an independently movable row slide or carriage for sequentially transporting images disposed along a row of microfiche into the illumination path of the machine. The movements of the column and row slides are controlled by the engagements of two elongated slotted racks with two pairs of drive pins. The machine includes means disposed in the illumination path for illuminating one of the images to form a projected image for receipt by the viewing screen or alternately for receipt by an exposure station of the reproduction assembly to form a latent image of the micro-image. The machine further includes means for developing the latent image to form a visible image of the projected image and means for fixing the developed image on a sheet of copy material to form a permanent visible copy of the projected image.

12 Claims, 43 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBI 81915 3.867, 025

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SHEET 120F 25 VIEWING LAMP FEE-EXPOSURE J60 COUNTER POWER Jia fll 0 coum-en 2 PATENTED 81975 3, 867, 025

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1. A device for selectively displaying or reproducing images disposed on a microfiche comprising an illumination path, means for automatically transporting said microfiche through said device, said transporting means including first and second independently actuable motive means for automatically positioning one of said images in said illumination path for display or reproduction by said device, said first motive means comprising a first movable slide or carriage, a first pair of drive pins positioned on a first pin disc connected to a rotatable output shaft of a first motor and a first rack having a plurality of slots for releasably, engageably receiving said first pair of drive pins, wherein the relative movement between said first pair of drive pins and first rack causes the movement of said first slide along a first path of travel, means disposed in said illumination path for illuminating said one of said images to form a projected image of said one of said images, a viewing screen for receiving said projected image and for visually displaying said projected image, an exposure station for receiving said projected image to form a latent image of said projected image and means for alternately directing said projected image to said viewing screen or to said exposure station.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a supply of copy material, means for developing said latent image to form a developed or visible image of said projected image and means for fixing said developed image to form a relatively permanent visible image of said projected image on said copy material.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2 further comprising means disposed betWeen said supply and said exposure station for applying a high voltage charge to said copy material.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said supply of copy material comprises a continuous roll of copy material.
 5. A device as defined in claim 4 further comprising means disposed between said supply of copy material and said high voltage charge applying means for severing individual sheets of copy material from said continuous roll.
 6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second motive means comprises a second movable slide or carriage, a second pair of drive pins positioned on a second pin disc connected to a rotatable output shaft of a second motor and a second rack having a plurality of slots for releasably, engageably, receiving said second pair of drive pins, wherein the relative movement between said second pair of drive pins and said second rack causes the movement of said second slide along a second path of travel substantially perpendicular to said first path of travel.
 7. A device for selectively displaying or reproducing one or more micro-images disposed along rows and columns of a microfiche comprising an illumination path, means for positioning a first micro-image in said illumination path, said positioning means including first means for moving said microfiche along a first elongated axis corresponding to the direction of one of said rows, said first moving means comprising a first movable slide or carriage, a first pair of drive pins connected to a rotatable output shaft of a first motor and a first rack having a plurality of slots for releasably engageably receiving said first pair of drive pins, wherein the relative movement between said first pair of drive pins and said first rack causes a movement of said first slide along said first elongated axis, said positioning means further including second means for moving said microfiche along a second elongated axis corresponding to the direction of one of said columns, said second moving means being operable independently of said first moving means and, similarly, said first moving means being operable independently of said second moving means, means for illuminating said first micro-image to form a projected image of said first micro-image, means for visually displaying said projected image, means for reproducing a tangible copy of said projected image and means for selectively directing said projected image either to said displaying means or to said reproducing means.
 8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said reproducing means includes a supply of copy material, an exposure station for receiving said projected image to form a latent image of said projected image, means for developing said latent image to form a developed or visible image of said projected image and means for fixing said developed image to form a relatively permanent visible image or copy of said projected image on said copy material.
 9. A device as defined in claim 8 wherein said reproducing means further comprises means disposed between said supply and said exposure station for applying a high voltage charge to said copy material.
 10. A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said supply of copy material comprises a continuous roll of copy material.
 11. A device as defined in claim 10 wherein said reproducing means further comprises means disposed between said roll of copy material and said high voltage charge applying means for severing individual sheets of copy material from said continuous roll.
 12. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said second moving means comprises a second movable slide or carriage, a second pair of drive pins connected to a rotatable output shaft of a second motor and a second rack having a plurality of slots for releasably engageably receiving said second pair of drive pins, wherein the relative movement between said second pair of drive pins and said second rack causes the movement of said second slide along said second elongatEd axis, said second elongated axis being substantially perpendicular to said first elongated axis. 